Julie Kenney

Deputy secretary of agriculture
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Age: 39

Partner: Mark Kenney

Children: Lauren Kenney (daughter), Landon Kenney (son)

Mentor: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig

Why she’s a Forty: Julie is a member of the Governor’s Feeding Iowans Task Force, where she helped lead initiatives that delivered more than 1.75 million servings of protein to food-insecure Iowans. She represents Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig on several boards and commissions, including the Iowa State Fair Board, the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation, the Iowa Council on Agriculture Education, the Iowa Beef Council and the Iowa Turkey Federation. Julie is a founding member of CommonGround, a national organization to help connect farmers with consumers. As deputy secretary of agriculture, Julie helps oversee the budget, policy and personnel of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

What are your goals in your role at your company? 

My goal is to support Secretary Naig and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s efforts to expand soil health and water quality efforts in rural and urban landscapes across the state. We also implement programs that protect food safety and animal health and promote consumer protection for all Iowans. 

What are your goals for your community involvement? 

I love to mentor and talk with young people about the tremendous opportunities to make a difference in Iowa agriculture. We can use science and innovation to promote food security and environmental stewardship, and build strong rural and urban communities. 

What's your biggest passion, and why? 

Food connects us in so many ways. Whether it’s participating in a trade mission overseas, hosting visitors on our farm or answering questions from food bloggers, I love to tell the story of Iowa agriculture and how Iowa farmers raise food for our communities and people around the world.

What is it that drives you? 

My kids are my greatest inspiration. I try to be a good example and teach them the same lessons my parents taught me: Anything is possible if you’re willing to say yes, put in the work and treat everyone with respect.

What are your future aspirations? 

Our state has such an opportunity to lead in environmental sustainability. I look forward to working with Secretary Naig and the agriculture community to build on the progress we’ve made in soil health and water quality. As a state, we should be at the forefront of innovation related to carbon and environmental services.  

Three hobbies: Travel, kids, sporting events.

Fun fact: Julie was a featured panelist on Bill Nye the Science Guy’s Netflix series, “Bill Nye Saves the World.”

ONE word: Determination. 

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? 

We need to continue to invest in our communities and make them a great place to live and work. By investing in broadband, recreation, education, child care and housing, we can attract and retain the workforce we need for the future.